Tag: Mike Rutherford

No face to face, no letters of resignation, just a couple of emails on Friday from John Ramsey and Mike Rutherford to the boss Drew Deener that they were resigning from their sports radio talk show on ESPN 680.

Outta here. Gone. Effective immediately.

No advance notices, no apologies to the listeners, nothing that would be considered anywhere close to a graceful exit. They were done.

So abruptly that many University of Louisville fans thought it was an April Fool’s joke, occurring on the eve of April 1. Others speculating that Ramsey and Rutherford had been enticed to another radio station and were unable to discuss their plans because of contractual obligations.

Turns out, as Rutherford explains on his web site, that working multiple jobs on a taxing schedule was apparently taking a toll. Something had to give, and it turned out to be the radio show. Ramsey, who was originally a solo act, may have decided that the show had limited potential without Rutherford.

The most surprising thing about the episode was the speed with which the departures happened. Coming as a shock for some listeners who tuned in day after day for their take on UofL sports.

Imagine Drew Deener’s shock at learning about the resignations via email, two of his most valued personalities leaving immediately, not bothering to give him or the listeners any advance notice.

Ramsey was probably the biggest homer on sports talk radio, leaning heavily on Rutherford for facts and insights. Rutherford, meanwhile, had a radio voice that could only be described as monotonal and grating at best.

The fact that they were both longtime UofL fans, with easy access to Louisville coaches and other personalities, made the show an entertaining one while filling a local media void.

Ramsey was never bashful when it came to professing his devotion to the Cardinals or making his contempt known for the Wildcats. Rutherford, on the other hand, was obviously one of the most knowledgeable and respected sources on UofL sports in the community.

A sudden, strange and awkward departure. Their listeners, and their boss, deserved better.

The names of two great University of Louisville basketball players from the past,Â major contributors on the school’s two national championship teams.Â Wouldn’t have been possible without them.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have some combination of Rodney and Pervis in a future U of L player?

Meet Rodney Purvis.

Purvis is a 6-foot-3 ninth grader at the Upper Room Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C., said to be the leading prospect in the recruiting class of 2013. Playing against some of the best competition in the nation, he averaged 11.5 points in six games during the recent NBA Players Association Top 100 camp.

Rodney last week let it be known via his Twitter account that U of L had expressed interest to him.

Possibly, a face to face with Rick Pitino.

But then following a flurry of responses from U of L fans and people who follow other teams. Quickly tempering expectations of our recruiting junkies.

Something to be said for his candor during a time when many recruits seem to thrive on all the fawning. So nothing to get too excited about. But the name Rodney Purvis does bring back some good memories while challenging the imagination.

Have never met Mike Rutherford, but he’s one of my favorite people. He’s the 25-year-old blogger over at Card Chronicle, far and away the most popular U of L blog in town. He was only a toddler when the University of Louisville won its last national basketball championship so he has yet to experience the ultimate. Despite the vast difference in generations, Mike and the observer have much in common, spending way too much time focusing on their favorite school. Mike talks about his journey here.

Then there are Sonja and Paul Sykes, over at the Cardinal Couple, who also eat, sleep and breathe U of L sports while giving props to women’s athletics. Ahead of the curve, before it is everyday cool.

Mr. Black and Mr. Red, over at Cardinal Laws, have some interesting and thoughtful perspectives as well. Shannon, over at Cardinal Dominance, is relentless when it comes to pursing the nitty-gritty. A newcomer is Nick Coffey, at The Cardinal Connect, and we wish him well.

Rarely in its history has the University of Louisville football team dominated another team like its has Pittsburgh. The Cards have won seven straight games over the Panthers since 1983, owning a 7-4 advantage in the series, including three Big East Conference wins.

Card fans can take little comfort, however. Pittsburgh was impressive in a four overtime 36-33 win over Notre Dame last week. The Panthers are well aware of recent history between the schools, eager to take advantage of a team unable to handle lowly Syracuse.

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— A young U of L team may have been riding too high after a surprising win over South Florida, thinking they had arrived and could just show up and win. It happens to teams all the time. But for hostile fans trying to find a reason to excuse the coaching staff for previous disappointments, it was the equivalent of a backstabbing.

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— Coach Steve Kragthorpe hardly ever ventures off the optimistic path, but he has been seething this week:

“Nobody’s happy around here. I’m not happy. I’m as upset as I’ve ever been. I’m sick to my stomach that we lost that football game.”

“In terms of where we’re at as a program, I’m disappointed, I’m upset, I’m pissed off that we lost. But I’m not going to let it affect my preparation for Pittsburgh.”

One angry football coach. That makes it unanimous. Now everybody is mad.

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— Tom Heiser, who does the Courier-Journal blog, is not that optimistic but somehow manages to anticipate a Louisville win:

The prospects for the final four games are about as muddy as the Heinz Field turf. Let’s be honest: if the program has now become Syracuse’s silver lining, no game (home or away) can be considered favorable for victory. The momentum of a three-game winning streak, a 5-2 record and the upset of South Florida have vanished … I think U of L has a good chance to rebound and pull out a win — in essence, pretend last week never happened.”

It takes a dedicated fan to feel that way. Nice to know there is at least one with CJ connections.

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— Mike Rutherford at Card Chronicle points out “Looking for a reason to believe that has nothing to do with your team? Pitt, now ranked 25th, is 0-3 in home games when nationally ranked under Dave Wannstedt.”

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— By the way, the Fire Dave Wannstedt domain is for sale after his team managed to defeat Notre Dame 36-33 in four overtimes last week. Could a Panther fan be having second thoughts? Don’t count on it if the Panthers lose another game to U of L.

As bad as Louisville has been, you have to think that anytime something good happens for Dave Wannstedt, something bad canâ€™t be far behind. Something like an upset loss to Louisville, perhaps? Louisville 21 Pittsburgh 14.

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— Win or lose, you’ll be surrounded by a lot of U of L fans Saturday at a fund raising event for Shawn Bowen at the BBC in St. Matthews. Shawn is the five-year-old son of Justin Bowen, better known as “Jerb” for his video capabilities.

All proceeds from this event, as well as a golf scramble tomorrow, will go help offset the family’s medical expenses. There will be numerous items availble in a silent auction and probably a few surprises. Hats off to Frankpos for organizing the event, which starts at 11:30 a.m. See you there.